FALKIRK ACTIVE TRAVEL HUB TO BE OPENED BY TRANSPORT MINISTER

Minister for Transport and the Islands, Humza Yousaf will visit Falkirk on Tuesday 6 February to open the town’s new Active Travel Hub.

It is hoped the hub, based at 203 High Street, will encourage and support local people to make healthier, greener travel choices.

Minister for Transport and the Islands, Humza Yousaf said: “I am delighted to be invited to open the Falkirk Active Travel Hub and to recognise the efforts of staff and volunteers of Forth Environment Link.

“Thanks to the forward looking partnership between Forth Environment Link and Falkirk Council, a fantastic space has been created that visitors and the local community can use to engage with greener and more active modes of travel. The previous round of the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Programme, provided £2.6m of European regional development funding to 4 projects, including this fantastic new hub here in Falkirk.

“The progress that has been made here today reflects our commitment made through the Programme for Government. We have doubled the active travel budget from £40m to £80m and we have stated our target to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032. It’s encouraging to see yet another step in our commitment to building a greener and more active nation.”

The Active Travel Hub is part of the Healthier Greener Falkirk Project, a joint initiative between Falkirk Council and charityForth Environment Link.

Falkirk Active Travel Hub CoordinatorRay Burr said: “Our goal is to get the local community making more of their everyday journeys by walking, cycling or using sustainable modes of transport such as electric bikes or electric cars. As well as providing access to bikes and e-bikes through our bike ‘lending library’, we’ll be sharing our expert knowledge of local active travel routes and running workshops on topics such as bike maintenance.

“We’ll also be working in partnership with local community groups, organisations and businesses to engage with people and make Falkirk and the surrounding area a healthier and happier place to live.”

The hub sits alongside Forth Environment Link’s upcycling shop and workshop space Revive, creating an innovative community resource on the high street with the environment at its heart.

Steve Revell, Economic Development Officer for Falkirk Council said: “The Hub and Revive bring into use two adjoining vacant shops, which sit within a parade of recently improved buildings benefiting from the Council’s Townscape Heritage Initiative funding. The investment of over £350,000 in this section of the High Street shows a commitment to regenerating the town centre and driving further footfall into the town’s core.”

The Healthier Greener Falkirk project will also see a low carbon vehicle hub created atFalkirk Community Stadium with 20 electric vehicle charging bays.

Steve Revell added: “The Hub will also be a great ambassador for the electric vehicle hub planned for the Falkirk Stadium site and offer visitors the opportunity to hire bikes to explore the attractions in and around Falkirk.”